Sabine's holiday tip
My name is Sabine and I have been cycling across Europe for Donau Touristik since 2003. I work in the HR department and am a keen cyclist myself. I'm delighted to be able to combine my hobby with my job.
In all my years at Donau Touristik, I have already travelled on several cycle tours. I have particularly fond memories of the cycle tour "Through the Mark Brandenburg".
The tour is a star cycle tour starting from the charming city of Potsdam. The UNESCO World Heritage city with its unique location on the Havel lakes has a lot to offer. Potsdam is always worth a visit, as the city is embedded in a unique cultural landscape.
You spend the night in the SeeHotel Seminaris, quietly and picturesquely situated on Lake Templin. The hotel has excellent cuisine with a lakeside terrace, a spacious wellness area and public access to the lake. Breakfast on the terrace makes for a great start to the day. The perfect place to relax after an extensive cycle tour. It should also be emphasised that the SeeHotel is located directly on the cycle path, which leads on tranquil cycle tours through many parks for relaxation.
In addition to comfortable accommodation, the cycle routes are surrounded by beautiful landscapes and historic buildings. These include the world-famous palaces and gardens, but also the picturesque Havel lake landscape that surrounds Potsdam.
I was particularly fascinated by the hustle and bustle at Wannsee - hence my tip based on the song: " Pack your swimming trunks, take your little sister...".The hustle and bustle there is like a hidden object picture book - exhilarating. You get the feeling that half of Berlin is swimming in the Wannsee.
There are so many attractive sights that I would like to recommend to you, but unfortunately it is almost impossible to visit everything in a week. Here you will find my five TOP's of this cycle tour:
Dutch Quarter
To expand the garrison town of Potsdam, King Frederick William I needed good skilled labourers, which he brought in from Holland. The Dutch workers liked it so much in Potsdam that the soldier king had this neighbourhood built with around 150 brick houses. With white joints, shutters and, in some cases, curved gables - just like at home. Today, this neighbourhood is the only complete ensemble of Dutch-style buildings outside the Netherlands.
Sanssouci Palace
Potsdam's most visited attraction is Sanssouci Palace. Architect Georg W. von Knobelsdorff planned the building, which was constructed in just two years. The rococo-style Hohenzollern palace is located in the extensive Sanssouci Park, the largest park in Brandenburg.
Sea buckthorn garden
The orange-coloured fruit sea buckthorn grows in the nature reserve around Lake Schwielowsee. The fruit not only tastes great, but also contains bioactive ingredients. The Berger family business cultivates organic sea buckthorn on a huge area of land. The sea buckthorn product range is diverse and extends from organic sea buckthorn juice to the company's own cosmetics.
Einstein House
The Einstein House is located south of Potsdam in Caputh. Albert Einstein lived there with his family from 1929 to 1932. Since 2005, the Einstein Year, the building has been open again for tours and events following renovation work.
Belvedere Palace Pfingstberg
The Belvedere Palace is one of the most beautiful 19th century buildings on the Pfingstberg. It also includes the Temple of Pomona and the gardens designed by Peter Joseph Lenné. The impressive pleasure palace is located at the highest point of Potsdam. Admission to the palace is included in the package price.
The selected cycle routes are signposted throughout on flat and easy-to-navigate cycle paths. The advantage of a star cycle tour like this is that you can treat yourself to a day off if you don't feel like cycling or the weather isn't playing ball. The Seminaris SeeHotel offers plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy yourself. You can always dive into the hustle and bustle of the city of Potsdam independently of the car or public transport.
My conclusion: Cycling enthusiasts looking for a balanced combination of culture, nature and enjoyment are in the right place here. Plus healthy and active exercise by bike, what more could you want?